The F/A-18 Hornet and the National Defense Industrial Base
Abstract
As the Twenty-first century approaches, the United States finds itself in the unique position of being the world's only remaining military superpower. However, the need to maintain a military force capable of fighting and winning a global war has become questionable. Additionally, the nation is faced with the very real challenge of a weak economy, unacceptably high unemployment, a massive national debt fed by growing annual budget deficits and a deteriorating defense industrial base. In response to both the state of the economy and the lack of a discernable enemy, the Defense Department faces significant funding reductions for the foreseeable future. This situation places in jeopardy the defense industrial base as it will cause many firms to abandon defense work as being unprofitable. In order to protect the defense industrial base and ensure that a sufficient number of commercial enterprises are available to produce needed systems, the Defense Department must consider revising its traditional approach to weapon system acquisition and allow greater private participation in the depot maintenance of those systems. This should be done even at the risk of abandoning major segments of the Defense organic depot maintenance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA276826
Entities
People
- Joe D. Watson Jr.
Organizations
- Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy